Housing Choice Voucher Program
About the HCV Program
HMHA’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program allows low-income families to rent quality housing in the private market via federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Through the HCV Program, HMHA pays a portion of eligible families’ rent each month. These payments are made directly to the property owner/manager. Participating families can use their vouchers to rent a house or apartment from private property owners throughout Hancock, Hardin, Wyandot or Putnam counties.
HMHA’s goal is to promote personal, economic, and social upward mobility to provide families the opportunity to make the transition from subsidized to non-subsidized housing.
Eligibility
Applicants to the HCV Program must meet several requirements detailed in HMHA’s Administrative Plan including:
- Income eligibility
- Criminal background check
- Previous behavior in assisted housing
Income eligibility is determined by comparing the family’s annual income (gross income) with the HUD established low-income limit for HMHA’s jurisdiction.
To qualify for the program, applicants must have an income at or below 50% of the area median income (AMI) based on their family size. Median income levels are published by HUD and vary by location.
2023 Annual Gross Income Limits:
Persons Hancock Hardin Putnam Wyandot
1 $31,350 $27,450 $32,800 $27,700
2 $35,800 $31,400 $37,500 $31,650
3 $40,300 $35,300 $42,200 $35,600
4 $44,750 $39,200 $46,850 $39,550
5 $48,350 $42,350 $50,600 $42,750
6 $51,950 $45,500 $54,350 $45,900
7 $55,500 $48,650 $58,100 $49,050
8 $59,100 $51,750 $61,850 $52,250
How the Program Works
Because there are more families who need rental assistance than there are funds available, HMHA uses a waiting list to administer the program to eligible families. When awarding vouchers, HMHA gives preference to Veterans (unless the discharge is dishonorable) or Active Duty Military and targeted funding for non-elderly (61 years of age or younger) disabled families (this applies to the head of household, co-head or spouse).
Once selected from the waiting list, eligible families that meet the income guidelines and fulfill other requirements will be issued a Voucher.
It is the responsibility of the family to find a unit that meets their needs and is within the affordability guidelines given to them.
Once the family selects a unit, HMHA must inspect the unit to ensure that it meets HUD’s Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and determine that the rent requested is reasonable.
Once the unit passes an HQS Inspection, HMHA will enter into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract with the Owner who leases the unit to the family.
A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
Utility Allowance Schedule
HMHA reviews its schedule of utility allowances each year.